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Video shows aftermath of alleged attack on suspected vandal

TORONTO - A video has emerged allegedly showing a vandal lying bloodied on the ground moments after he spray painted a Kensington Market storefront.

Luis Vega said he tried to apprehend the man because he is sick of people vandalizing his business. The El Gordo food court has been a constant target of taggers who use spray paint to make their mark, he said.

Vega said he shot the video on Thursday showing a man left with blood on his nose and injuries to other parts of his face while he apologizes profusely to the man filming him. Footage from a CCTV camera was shot just moments before, he said. It shows a similarly dressed man tagging a wall with white spray paint and running away.

Vega, who owns the El Arepazo kiosk within the El Gordo food court, said he was working at his stand around 5 p.m. Thursday when he smelled fresh paint outside his door and spotted what he claims was graffiti tag on the panel. He took a look at his security cameras to see if the alleged culprit was in the area and came face-to-face with him.

Vega said he hit the man in self-defence.

The man who was allegedly struck by Vega has not been identified.

Vega said he phoned police an hour and a half later to file a report.

They took his information and called him back midday Friday, he said.

When contacted by the Toronto Sun, Const. Victor Kwong said no report on the incident had been made to Toronto Police.